Human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis (RLP) is a chronic debilitating disease often encountered among children of poor socio-economic South African groups. There are a few studies and limited evidence as to what extent nutrition may contribute to this disease. To our knowledge this is the first study that gives an account of dietary FA and micronutrient intakes in RLP patients, according to food frequency questionnaires. The dietary FA profile revealed an excessive linoleic acid (LA) intake syndrome and is also marked by high palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OA) and SFA intakes. Research revealed that enhanced LA and PA drive, respectively, mitogenetic stimuli and apoptotic resistance during tumorigenesis, whist SFAs are asso- ciated with lipid rafts, the Th1 immune response and immunosuppression. Low folate intake, a risk for HPV- infection, and low Zn intake, detrimental for lipid metabolism and immunocompetence, occurred in, respectively, 70 % and 20% RLP patients. The poor correlations that were found in RLP patients between essential fatty acids (EFAs) and micronutrients, namely, Mg, Zn and Se, involved in lipid metabolism and immune responses, need proper clarification. Overall, it is plausible that the diet (poor nutrition), a shift in lipid metabolism caused by HPV- infection, environmental smoke and oxidative stress, as well as extra-esophageal acid reflux with secon- dary inflammation in the larynx are co-factors in the etiology of laryngeal papillomatosis, and that immunocom- prised patients are subjected to recurrence. It is imperative to ensure that children with RLP receive proper nu- trition and follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent disease recurrence after treatment.